Sky to offer new OTT service in Switzerland

Sky Deutschland, the German pay-TV broadcaster, is to launch an over-the-top platform in neighbouring Switzerland, and is set to unveil further details in the coming weeks.

Sky has set up social media accounts to promote the service, which will be launched next month.

The broadcaster has had a presence in Switzerland for many years by exclusively licensing channels and programming to Teleclub, the Swiss pay-TV broadcaster.

However, the Swiss market has been energised by competition from UPC, the telecoms group that is launching its MySports subscription service and which has snared rights to German soccer’s Bundesliga.

In a deal with Discovery Communications, Teleclub has managed to ensure coverage on its platform of the 45 Bundesliga games per season that will be offered by Eurosport from the 2017-18 season onwards.

A tweet from the new @SkySportCH account claims that “a large part” of Sky Deutschland’s portfolio will be showcased on the new Swiss service.

Sky has not stated what events will be shown on the Swiss OTT service, although logos visible on social media to promote the offering include those of the Uefa Champions League, Europa League, Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, Formula 1, Wimbledon, ATP World Tour and the Handball Bundesliga.

There is also heightened competition in Switzerland through the launch of Perform’s DAZN in the country, complementing its operations in Germany and Austria.